Shinagawa

Few places in Tokyo are as tightly connected as Shinagawa.

Traveling anywhere between Narita International Airport and Osaka? You’ll likely pass through Shinagawa station, which has a stop on the convenient Yamanote line.

The station services 11 train lines and is also a major stop for buying tickets and boarding the Tokaido-Sanyo shinkansen (bullet train). Making it even more convenient, this traveler-friendly station connects to both Narita and Tokyo Haneda airports.

Departing the station from either of its two main exits, you’ll find the area has a dual life.

Shinagawa from west to east

The Takanawa exit, on the west side of the station, is host to a variety of three- and four-star hotels.

Just five minutes from the station is Shinagawa Prince Hotel. Close to the hotel is the Epson Aqua Park that has a dolphin performance and other sea life exhibits.

For other activities, this side of the station also has shopping malls and family entertainment such as bowling and cinemas. For those creatives out there, try the Hara Museum modern art gallery.

In stark contrast, the east side of the station, through the Konan exit, has sleekly designed buildings in the form of offices, banks and corporate headquarters. Over the past few years, the area was redeveloped to become more worker friendly. So, there’s plenty of dining, shopping and a large garden in between office buildings.

Photo by: Dick Thomas Johnson

But if you’re just looking for a quick bite after a long train ride, there are a few notable food joints just below the train tracks. They serve up hearty ramen and donburi (rice bowls topped with meat, fish or vegetables).

Before heading out, tourists can hit up another big attraction: Shinagawa Aquarium. About a 10-minute train ride and a 10-minute walk from the station, the aquarium has more than 2,500 fish. It also offers language support in English, Korean and Chinese.